Continuing cave shrines of Mumbai, Mandapeshvar is a Hindu cave complexdedicated to Shiva. There are two huge relief panels, one of Nataraja andone of Lakulisha. Lakulisha panel might be the first such huge reliefdepicting him with all major deities.

These caves were under the Portuguese for a quite long time and hencesuffered significant damage. At present also the area around these cavesare in constant threat from the near by church as they claim it to be theirproperty.

During the Portuguese rule, various structures were constructed above thecave which are still in use as a college and a monastery. There is also acemetery which they want to extend which will further put load above thecave ceiling. The case is under court between the church and ASI, asinformed by an ASI member to me.

Anyhow, these shrines, irrespective of their religious affiliations, areour heritage and we must protect these. Ironically the cemetery andmonastery are also under ASI protection but just for namesake as theseinstitutions are under the control of their religious leaders.